SE-2012-01 Press Info (2)

25 June 2012, Poznan, Poland

Security Explorations decided to release technical details and accompanying Proof of Concept code for a security vulnerability in Apple QuickTime software. This move is made in a response to Apple's evaluation of a reported issue as a "hardening issue" rather than a security bug [1].

Security Explorations does not agree with the results of Apple's evaluation. It does not support the approach of a "silent fix" either [2].

A vulnerability that was reported to the company on Apr 12, 2012 allows to bypass two security checks in Apple's code. That vulnerability (Issue 22) leads to a serious violation of Java VM security. When combined with Issue 15 affecting Oracle's Java SE [3], it can lead to a complete compromise of a Java VM environment on a fully patched Windows OS with latest Java SE (1.6.0_33-b03) and Apple QuickTime (7.72.80.56) software installed.

The case of an attack against Apple QuickTime software illustrates a common trend in attacks against technologies such as Java VM where more than one, partial security bypass issue usually needs to be combined together to achieve a complete security compromise. The more surprising it is to see a vendor's response downplaying the importance of the issue found in its code that can actually contribute to the full blown attack against the users of its software.

Security Explorations is publishing the following materials in a hope that a wider public could conduct an independent evaluation of Apple QuickTime issue and deliver an unbiased judgment of both companies claims: